Menu Survey!

Gauge students’ familiarity with a simple, fun menu survey. Together, build a list of locations in which they might find food menus.

These might include:

airplanesbistrosbowling alleyscatering trucksconcession stands at city parks and picnic groundsdrive-insferries and shipshospitalsoffice buildings and towerspizzeriasrestaurants – chain or neighborhoodschoolsshopping mallssoda fountains in department and other storesspecialty houses (one to six meal choices only)sports arenas, rinks, stadiums, and outdoor playing fieldstheaterstrains.

Ask students to bring in a copy of a favorite menu. If you want to work online, students will find menus there of local and regional favorites, as well as those from national restaurant chains.

How is the menu arranged?

In a small group, compare your menu with others. How are they similar?

Similarities will include: some form of organizationgrouping by food itemslist of food itemsprices on the right side.

What non-food features can you find on a restaurant menu?

These may include: a cover designphotos/illustrationshistory of restaurant/owner/chefmenu focused on a special population/age groupsomething to occupy children or adults.

What special offer would you add to a menu that appeals to you? This could be a special pricing on a special day during a specific time or a combination offer.